Electricity Minister: Buildings mandated to follow 'heater code'

Dr. Subaih Al-Makhzoum, Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, issued a ministerial decision regarding the adoption of the technical code for water heaters in buildings. The decision, published in the Official Gazette “Kuwait Today” under No. 131 of 2026, stipulates the following: The technical code for water heaters in buildings, which includes the minimum requirements for the design and installation of water heating systems in buildings in the State of Kuwait, is hereby adopted. The aforementioned technical code applies to water heating systems in all buildings, residential and non-residential, throughout the country. Its scope of application covers new buildings in their entirety, as well as new extensions to existing buildings that require additional electrical load. Non-residential buildings must comply with the minimum energy efficiency requirements for the design and installation of water heating systems, and must install a system that achieves savings of at least 60% of the total water heating demand. Residential buildings are free to choose any water heating system; however, compliance with the energy efficiency requirements for the design and installation of water heating systems set forth in this code becomes mandatory when selecting high-efficiency water heating systems, such as solar water heating systems, heat pump water heating systems, and similar technologies. All systems, equipment, and products covered by this code are subject to the requirements of Kuwait Standard KWS 1903:2025, issued by the Public Authority for Industry (PAI), or its latest revision. This decision shall take effect one year from the date of its publication.